Only a Small Portion of the Rope will be Left on the Projection
The knot shown has a peculiar characteristic which enables a person to recover the rope after letting himself down from some elevated position. After the rope has been tied firmly to some support, as a limb of a tree, tie this knot, or “sheepshank,” as high up as possible. Close inspection will show that one of the three sections of the knot holds no part of the weight below. This section is identified as the portion which projects through the loops A and B at both ends. The other sections project through at one end only. When the knot has been arranged, slide down carefully to a position just below it and cut the rope at C; then descend to the ground. By shaking the rope the knot may be loosened, and only a short piece will be left attached to the support.—Contributed by F. R. Gorton, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Writing Two Colors on a Plain-Ribbon Typewriter
To write red, or any other color, on a one-color ribbon typewriter place a long enough piece of red carbon paper, or the color desired, between the ribbon and the paper. It will hold its place quite well, does the work as well as a two-color ribbon used on expensive machines, and does not cost very much.—Contributed by Leslie E. Turner, New York City.
A Simple Card Deception
The effect of this trick is not new, but the method is a new one. A card is selected by a spectator and noted, then returned to the pack, which is shuffled by the one drawing the card. Despite the thorough mixing the correct card is located by cutting the pack. The secret is this: When the card is chosen, the chooser is allowed to remove it from the pack. The performer then takes it and holds it up and asks the audience to fix it in their minds. While doing this, allow the thumb nail of the index finger to slightly graze the edge of the card. This will not show, nor can it be detected by the holder, and he suspects nothing of the kind. When returned to the deck and shuffled the pack is evened up for cutting. A glance at the edges will show a small white spot distinctly, as the scraped edge will contrast with the other soiled cards. It is simple to cut the pack from this key.—Contributed by John C. Moorehead, Minneapolis, Minn.
Catching Minnows for Bait
Instead of chasing the little fish up and down the stream to catch enough for bait, try putting a clean bit of shell in a wide-mouth jar and holding it in the water. The minnows will be attracted in great numbers, and it is an easy matter to dip them up. A bit of shell can be used also in a net. The white, shining shell seems to be a good lure for the little fellows.—Contributed by Miriam Colchester, Amherst, Can.
Grinding Writing and Lettering Pens
A fine or coarse writing or lettering pen can be produced quickly by means of an oilstone. By rubbing it at the sides of the nibs, the pen is made finer, and grinding across the ends makes it coarser. By grasping the penholder in the normal writing position, and writing lightly on the surface of the stone, the pen may be ground to the style of the user, making it write more smoothly. If the pen scratches, a slight touching up on the stone, which should be a fine hone, will remedy the difficulty.